2011 Strand Ephemera Exhibition Summary

EXHIBITION SUMMARY 2011

Girringun Artists Bagu with Jiman [detail] 2011. Co-recipient of the Award for Artistic Excellence, Strand Ephemera 2011.

Photo: David Lynam

Alison McDonald Flow II [detail] 2011 Strand Ephemera 2011.

Photo: Eric Nash

Strand Ephemera 2011 Main Artist Tour. Photo: Louis Dunn

Strand Ephemera

2011 was the sixth biennial Strand Ephemera; an event that began in 2001 and then became a biennial exhibition from that time. The event has grown over the years to be loved not only locally, but to be an outdoor sculpture exhibition of state and national significance.

Numerous names were considered, but Strand Ephemera was quirky enough to be memorable. It has also led to inventive mispronunciations that have kept the interest, including “Strand Euphoria”.

The impetus for Strand Ephemera was twofold. Firstly, the exhibition was to provide Townsville City Council, developers, and the broader Townsville public, with possibilities in the public art arena. Permanent public art pieces in Townsville up to this point had not engendered broad public support. A temporary exhibition has greater potential to present ideas and concepts for public feedback. Strand Ephemera presents a spectrum of work from the popular to the conceptually demanding. Council has selected a number of works from the exhibition for permanent display and the exhibition has provided a reference for developing public art in Townsville.

The second impetus was to provide opportunities for regionally-based artists. The Queensland Government had announced a 2% for public art program creating massive funding opportunities, with regionally-based artists expressing interest in improving their competitiveness. Strand Ephemera provided the opportunity for these artists to hone their skills and compare and contrast their work within a national context at a local venue. The focus on works being “ephemeral” encouraged artists to use inexpensive materials, for a “short-lived” exhibition of around 10 days.

The exhibition has attracted national and international entries, but it continues to provide the possibility for regional participants to prepare and present works in the public arena. A number of local artists have developed their public art profile and been commissioned as a result of their involvement in the exhibition. Townsvillebased artists have also noted that the networking and skills development as a result of the exhibition and its programs have proved worthwhile. The forum is the opportunity to discuss current trends and ideas in public art and relevant speakers are sourced.

Numerous models were investigated in developing this exhibition, including Sculpture by the Sea and the Mildura Palimpsest. The exhibition has also been informed by the Sydney Biennale and the Munster Sculpture Triennial. The exhibition has grown from within the community, with the support of a range of collaborating partners, and consistently offers developmental opportunities for the artists and public who participate.

Strand Ephemera provides an entertaining and engaging spectacle for Townsville residents and visitors to the city and is a much anticipated event in the arts calendar. It has developed into a mini-festival celebrating the creativity of our community.

2011 Exhibition Overview

Strand Ephemera, Townsville’s biennial outdoor sculpture exhibition, was held from 2–12 September 2011. The exhibition presented highly engaging and creative artworks set agaisnt the region’s idyllic tropical landscape.

The exhibition featured a total of 36 artworks, with artists travelling from across Australia to exhibit their work and become actively involved in the array of public programs throughout the event. Of the exhibiting artists in 2011, 23 were from North Queensland, with the remainder from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Strand Ephemera was proudly supported by Xstrata, and the exhibition attracted over 70,000 visitors from around Australia during its 10 day showing. In mid 2012, the exhibition was announced as having won the Festivals and Events section at the Townsville Airport NQ Tourism Awards - welldeserved recognition for a significant event.

An extensive program of free events for the community took place during Strand Ephemera 2011 including tours, drop-in workshops, performances and artist talks. A number of prizes were awarded thanks to local sponsors, including the ever popular People’s Choice Award

Throughout the event, artists and local community members volunteered their time to assist with all aspects of the exhibition including the installation of artwork, guided tours, workshops and providing visitor information.

A large amount of local media coverage assisted with the success of Strand Ephemera, and national journals also featured the event, building on Townsville’s profile.

With extended support, both financially and through volunteered time, the event proved a success, loved by the Townsville community, tourists and visitors to the region, and all artists involved.

Artists and the public offered positive feedback to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery through structured feedback forms and informal discussions postevent. The Gallery team undertook a structured review that formulated ideas for the event in 2013, with a time-line of preparations to begin early in 2012.

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Paul Kaptein The Continental Difter #20: Nimbus 2011 Strand Ephemera 2011. Photo: Danielle Leslie

Artists and Artworks

Strand Ephemera 2011 included 36 artworks from 77 artists (this included groups of artists who worked on a single artwork). The artworks were well spaced along the Strand with particular attention paid to being able to see the next artwork in either direction, encouraging visitors to walk the entire length of the exhibition. Previous feedback indicated that having clusters or gaps did not encourage visitors new to the event to continue to explore works.

Calls for expressions of interest were widely circulated, including being sent to public and commercial galleries, the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), various free web listings, galleries, curators, and sculpture departments at tertiary institutions.

The artist meet-and-greet, now a regular part of the program, has been developed in response to the artists’ requests to meet other artists involved in the exhibition. This has proven to be an important part of networking, engendering positive relations and collaboration post-exhibition. Signage was redeveloped in accordance with previous feedback, and the common response indicated the 2011 signage was more effective as it worked in conjunction with the catalogue.

Thumbnail images of all 36 artworks are opposite, with credit lines below arranged from left to right, top to bottom.

Bernadette Boscacci & Marion Gaemers Littoral Trappings; Alison McDonald Flow II; Erica Gray Rock Anemone; Robyn Bogdanis & Jan Hynes Colours of the Strand; Jak Henson You are here; Tracey Johnson Light Boxes; Girringun Artists Bagu with Jiman; Candace Miles A beach for all sorts; Amanda Feher Flight School; Victoria Nelson Dashing Hatchlings; Steve Price (Pricey) Cyclone Lookout; Christopher Bold What happens here then?; Jean Downes Mushrooming; Aden McLeod People watching people in the spirit; Chalk Dust collective Chalk Dust; Adriaan Vanderlugt BoxFish; Fibres & Fabrics Ass. Inc I Remember When; Margot Douglas Solar Chandeliers; Rhonda Cao & Lexine McAuliffe Rays Catching Rays; Martin Wilshire Surf Rats; MJ Ryan Bennett Gifts from the Sea; Annica Stenvall Batt All Light…Inside; Simon Poole 2.5 Mowers; Fatih Semiz Transition; Sue Tilley Many Hands; Helena Rador-Gibson Zen-Ephemera; Peter Spicer The Birdseed Café & Perch; Karen Landt-Isley & Ann Vardanega Strand Obscura; Paul Kaptein The Continental Drifters #20: nimbus; Richard Gillespie The whole town is talking; Madonna Caffery Priceless; Jo Lankester Fossil Outcrop; Donna Foley & Steve Campbell I SAY; Kath Fries Swash; Wanda Bennett Pulse; Jamie Willis Silent Scream - in red.

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

2011: Exhibition Summary

Public Program

With each Strand Ephemera there is a point of difference to enliven the event. In 2009 it was scheduling the Regional Galleries conference to coincide to build the profile of the event. In 2011 there was a focus on performance, and Strand aLive was initiated. Strand aLive included a series of interventions or flash mobs that performed during the event. Strand aLive received RADF funding to bring Martyn Coutts, responsible for the success of the Visible City project in Melbourne, to Townsville to workshop possible performances with Townsville performers. The collaboration was with Full Throttle Theatre. The performances were quirky and creative and added to the enjoyment of the event. Information on the complete public program is below.

Education program

20 schools attended (Refer page 12)

Drop-in Workshops

15 free drop-in workshops for the general public took place along The Strand during the exhibition. These workshops were very well received by Strand visitors. Conducted by artists, they included activities such as felting, wire and clay sculpting, drawing, and the making of pinhole cameras and light boxes.

Performances

Strand aLive provided the main performance element this year, adding a sense of fun and mayhem. This project incorporated a series of “live art” activities interacting with audience members. Other live components included daily Zen Raking at Helena

Rador-Gibson’s artwork and scheduled performances by local musicians The Lettuce Dance Band and The Pink Ladies on Jan Hynes 2009 Strand Ephemera entry Pink Piano.

Artist Meet and Greet

This event took place at the Gallery for exhibiting artists to get know each other

Official Opening

Staged at the Tobruk Pool the exhibition was officially opened by Cr David Crisafulli and awards were presented to artists.

Main Exhibition Tour

Guided by Strand Ephemera co-ordinator Pam Lane, each exhibiting artist was offered the opportunity to give a 2 minute talk about their artwork on site. This tour was very well attended.

Public Art Symposium

Exploring contemporary public art, the symposium included presentations from Sebastian Di Mauro, Senior lecturer at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and is an established public artist and Daniel Wallwork, emerging public artist based in Cairns, and Robyn Daw, Art+Place, Arts Queensland. The symposium was followed by Speed Pecha Kucha for Strand Ephemera artists.

Throughout the exhibition 300+

Throughout the exhibition 100+

Thursday 1 Sept 6:30pm 45

Friday 2 Sept 7pm 300+

Saturday 3 Sept 9:30am– midday 100+

Monday 12 Sept 6–9pm 68

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Michael Bromage from ABC Open conducts a Digital Storytelling Workshop as part of Strand Ephemera 2011.

Schools

The invovlement of local schools and students is a major focus of every Strand Ephemera. Gallery Services offers all schools within the region the possibility to be invovled in workshops and guided tours, and provides a developed activity booklet that responds to works in the exhibition and links with current syllabus. Below is a breakdown of the significant number of students who benefitted by being involved in the 2011 exhibition.

Total amount of students who attended programs: 1092

(Some students attended a tour and workshop, therefore below table only references program attendance and not the total of students)

(Self guided tour refers to groups that tour with teacher or guide without in depth knowledge of the work. As guided tours are limited to 30 students /group, self guided tours are carried out by teachers in large school groups)

Schools that attended

• All Souls Catholic College

• Annandale Christian College

• Ayr State Primary

• Central State School

• Charters Towers School of Distant Education

• Hermit Park State School

• Jarvisfield State School

• Koolkuna Pre Prep

• Mike Reynolds Child Care

• Ryan Catholic College

• Shalom Christian College

• Southern Cross Catholic School

• St Joseph’s Mundingburra

• St. Joseph’s The Strand

• St Margaret Mary’s College

• St. Patrick’s College

• St. Paul’s Lutheran Child Care Centre

• Townsville Home Schooling Group

• William Ross State High School

• Wulguru State School

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Students from Central State School are photographed with Jan Hynes and Robyn Bogdanis’ artwork during a tour of the exhibition

Awards

Although many locals indicate they would participate regardless, feedback from artists confirms that an award is a welcome part of the exhibition. Certainly the prize attracts attention, and the bigger the prize the greater the national attention.

The following awards were presented as part of Strand Ephemera 2011.

1.1 Judge’s Award for Artistic Excellence $10,000

Sponsored by Xstrata

(Judged by Sebastian Di Mauro, Senior lecturer at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and an established sculptor who provides work in the public arena.)

Awarded to two artworks:

Girrungun Artists – Bagu with Jiman ($5,000)

Erica Gray – Sea Anemone ($5,000)

1.2 Photographic Competition

Sponsored by Wilson/Ryan/Grose Lawyers

(Judged by Adam Brown, Lecturer in photography at James Cook University.)

309 images submitted by 78 entrants.

Under 18: Elisa Ernst ($200)

18 and over: Danielle Leslie ($800)

1.3 People’s Choice Award

Sponsored by Glenda Lewin

608 votes were recorded in the People’s Choice Award.

Aden McLeod ($2,000)

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

18 and over Photographic Competition winning shot Danielle Leslie

Under 18 Photographic Competition winning shot Elisa Ernst

Aden McLeod People Watching People in the Spirit [detail] 2011, People’s Choice Award winner

Erica Gray Rock Anemone 2011 Co-recipient of the Award for Artistic Excellence, Strand Ephemera 2011. Photo: Eric Nash

Sponsors

Gallery Services thanks major sponsor Xstrata, and all sponsors who enabled the delivery of specific prizes and components of Strand Ephemera. Funding from Xstrata has once again enabled Gallery Services to go beyond its base level and provide an exhibition that has delighted the general public and attracted impressive numbers of visitors.

Local businesses provided cash sponsorship and in-kind support for Strand Ephemera 2011.

Principal sponsor: Xstrata $45,000

Other financial sponsors:

Wilson/Ryan/Grose $3,000

Glenda Lewin $2,000

Media sponsors:

Townsville Bulletin WIN TV

In kind sponsors:

Aquarius (2 nights accom)

Mount Franklin Water (15 cases of water)

Royal Wolf (1 shipping container)

Volunteers

Strand Ephemera 2011 utilised 62 volunteers, a total of 448 hours. Volunteers supported all aspects of the exhibition including installation and demount, official opening and public art symposium, workshops, guided art tours and the Strand Ephemera Information Desk.

Volunteers attended a Council run WH&S induction at the Gallery prior to the event and were provided with the correct PPE. Volunteers worked in groups, supported by supervisors in each section, and connected by mobile phones. Blue cards were obtained where duties required such. Volunteers were also matched to areas according to their existing skill sets.

Six volunteers provided structure feedback, and all gave informal feedback at the reception held to thank volunteers for their participation. All aspects of their contribution were investigated.

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Artist CHRISTOPHER BOLD and his volunteers install an artwork along The Strand pier.

Strand Ephemera 2011 received extensive positive coverage in the local and national media including; newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online through websites, links and social networking sites.

This was the first Strand Ephemera with a developed social networking presence. Original tweets were sent to 100 followers, retweeted by Townsville Bulletin to 1432 followers, retweeted by ABC North QLD to 2028 followers. Total reach of tweets: over 3000 individual accounts.

1.4 Print

• 5 x ABC NQ/ABC Open/ ABC Queensland stories and web articles

• Spirit of Australia magazine advertisement and editorial

• Eyeline advertisement with editorial

• Artshub advertisement with editorial

• Art Monthly Advertisement

• Art Guide Australia Listing

• Art Almanac listing

• Article secured during the event in The Australian 2012 for promotion of 2013 event

• Editorial in The Sunday Mail arts liftout

• Listings in Museum and Gallery Services Queensland publications

• Listing on ‘The Big Diary’

1.5 Radio

• Interviews conducted by ABC north Queensland with exhibiting artists in the lead up and during the exhibition. Interviews were also conducted by 4TO, Zinc FM

1.6 Television

• Interviews were aired on Channel 7, Exhibition launch covered on Channel 7 and Channel 9.

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

1.7 Online

1.7.1 Website

• Townsville City Council website

1.7.2 Website Links

• ABC OPEN

• ABC North Qld – Australian broadcasting Corporation

• ABC Nth Qld Facebook

• Eyeline magazine

• TCC events page

• TCC website front page

• Townsville Bulletin News

1.7.3 Social Network

•

Social networking tools were used extensively to increase audience participation and contribution and maintain ongoing connection and exposure to both national and international visitors. Visitors contributed photos to the online Flickr website (www. www.flickr.com/photos/ ptrg) and posted comments to the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Strand Ephemera 2011: Exhibition Summary

Jak Henson You are here 2011 Strand Ephemera 2011. Photo: Eric Nash